The Techwear Bag That Changed Everything - Acronym 3A-1 REVIEW

The Acronym 3A-1 is one of the most iconic messenger bags going, and has been released in countless variations over its near 20-year life alongside all kinds of other 'Third Arm' accessories and mods. We're taking a look at why the 3A-1's aesthetic and featureset has become so revered, and why so many other brands have borrowed ideas from it.

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Persona 5 OST

[felicianwood]

I love that look while talking about "1200 euro bag". I know that feeling bro

[mtzman]

Having owned a lot of Acronym over the years, if I were to sell everything off, the 3A-1 would easily be the thing I'd keep.

It was my daily driver for when I'd commute to the office up until I started working from home, and its form fitting nature made it absolutely perfect for being on crowded subways and metros as opposed to the fairly bulky backpack I was using beforehand. I could gush about every single feature, but you covered it thoroughly in your video.

[Verse]

I love the styling with just a t-shirt too, fills the sartorial space of a utility vest or a shoulder-slung bumbag. The way it hugs the body is definitely the best aesthetic feature in a messenger style bag I've seen. It's a brilliant detail that I think was why it was so copied in the first place, even if the other features are well thought-through, the wrap around is the most innovative and eye-catching. It was fun to see something close to Ant's EDC.

[lyonowens]

How other workwear besides cargo pants might fit in. Durable fabrics, freedom of motion, pockets. I like Duluth Trading.

[KaliburJP]

As a bag I will use for the rest of my life, I feel the price is totally justified. Another awesome thing which people may not notice is that the bag when worn with an Acronym jacket (particularly the J1 models) sits so that it lines up cleanly with the jacket pocket, so there's no obstruction. When I noticed that subtle design that really made me excited!

[DAM]

Thanks for the review. I literally just ordered the and 3A from the mothersite, same colourway and it's finally arriving tomorrow! I placed the order on April 29th but it got stuck in Customs limbo so this video has got me really excited now

[vandal_heart]

I picked up the black matte xpac version early this year and absolutely no regrets. I find an 11” iPad Pro fits nicely and isn’t too heavy with a padded sleeve, but agree anything larger would be better in a backpack. Overall the look and design of the bag is tops

[naotak]

Finally bit the bullet and picked up the 3A-1-CR.. Should be here tomorrow! So hype.

[KAI-iluk]

I'm a manybagger & I must say that the 3A-1 (2021 ver) is 1 of my most used casual bags, other than my Sealson 3-way messenger (should check it out, really unique design from Taiwan). I find myself using the mezzanine quick dump pockets waaaay more because of the convenience & the strap design is hands-down the best, like it more than my Orbitgear ones

[miffysnack]

I’m not a Techwear person, but I’ve always liked this bag and your excellent video review was the final impetus I needed to justify this extravagant purchase. I own an Aer Day Sling in VX-42 X-Pac, and it’s my favorite bag material. So, I can’t wait to use the 3A-1 in VX-42 X-Pac.

[someflyingdude]

0:32 Thats me! haha, never noticed. The bag that got me started sewing.

Don’t know if it was very ethical of me to share the pattern like that though.

[ThisIsAntwon]

There was 1 further thing about the 3A-1 I didn't mention - personally I haven't found much use for the side zip for the main compartment yet. Partly because it's so easy to get to the top one and partly because it's not that easy to fully undo due to the shape of the bottom of the bag. That said if anyone's made good use of that feature definitely let me know - maybe there's just something I'm missing.

[cseymour]

The 3a-1 has quite literally changed the way I do things. It fits to you so well that you just forget it's there sometimes and it's just a perfect everyday bag. Love it so much!

[ragekage]

I always thought of the Prada nylon (can't remember the name) as the first tech bag. Even before performance wear was a thing. Heck before laptops and cellphones even existed

[chroma-agogo]

Contrast edges help you tell pockets apart easier quickly or in the dark

[ZenShinigami]

Edginess of the bag caused the band-aid on your thumb :o

[jvsting]

I’ve had my black 3a-1 for a month now and it’s such a great functional bag. Can’t wait for my j1-a gtpl to come in too!

[przemysawseredyszyn]

I recommend the Helikon Wombat as an affordable alternative. It has a similar silhouette of a massenger bag without a flap and with external pockets (2 on the front and 2 on the sides). Its build out of Cordura 500D, every zipper is YKK and the ones on the outside of the bag are double sided.

[melt]

Finally getting the Acronym reviews everyone was waiting for. Nice vid Antwon!

[bandunghelmetgallery]

100% agreee
Must experience yourself to know how awesome this bag